The preamble to the Constitution states, in part, “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, . . .”

Well, that can only mean us! You and me and all the others in between from the time those immortal words were written.

The real question is, what have we done with our inheritance? How have we managed it? Have we been faithful to the ideals and principles embodied in the document our forefathers so carefully crafted?

Or have we squandered our inheritance?

It was Lord Acton who said, “power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Is there anyone who would deny that corruption seems to be a way of life today? According to the media (perhaps not those referred to as the “mass media”), our government fabricates data (latest census figures before the 2012 election), lies to us with a straight face (“you can keep your health insurance, period!”) and inflation is only 1 percent (but, of course, the figures don’t include the basics of life like food, clothing, gasoline). Those are perhaps the most recognizable instances.

As the “posterity” now in charge, we must ask ourselves, “how did we let this happen?” When did we take our eye off the ball so that we now owe more than our great grandchildren may ever be able to repay? How did the US sink from a world leader to an also-ran country where our creditors could destroy us at will?

Not easy questions to answer, and there is no intention of trying to do so here.

Rather, let us consider major instances of abandoning or overriding the Constitution.

A most recognizable starting point is Teddy Roosevelt, who took the lead when he declared he was a “progressive,” believing that he could do anything not specifically prohibited by the Constitution. His administration expanded federal power and activities beyond those authorized

Another major step without constitutional basis was the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Sold to the public as a means of controlling the banking trusts and big business, it was anything but. Numerous steps along the way have created a fiat currency without any solid backing. Any housewife or mother can tell you that her dollars are not worth what they once were. Was this accidental or planned? A disturbing question.

Next came Woodrow Wilson and his “war to make the world safe for democracy!” That in itself was a repudiation of the Founding Fathers. They abhorred “democracy,” considering it the worst form of government possible. The word “democracy” does not appear in either of the founding documents!

Every effort was made in crafting the US government to prevent the devastation possible when “majority rules.” That is why they sought to create a government of laws and not of men!

Wilson was followed by FDR, the master socialist with a patrician heritage. Despite his programs, the only thing that ended the depression was WW II! While his socialist experiments are with us today (some are considered good and helpful), we will never know what would have happened if the federal government had kept ‘hands off’! When governments dictate, freedom of the individual suffers.

Each step listed has taken us further toward an all-powerful central government and a socialist democracy. Such governments are invariably overloaded with bureaucracy and unelected individuals who make the decisions for the average citizen. Free choice is not a consideration.

Have we wasted our heritage? One need only recall that the Founders pledged “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor” for us as their posterity.

That’s my view. What’s yours? Reach me at “
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